ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Length of National Highways in The Country
The total length of National Highways  has been enhanced from about 91,287 km as on 31.03.2014 to about 1,31,326 km at present in view of declaration of about 39,040 km length of State roads as new NHs besides modification in existing NH length on account of realignments, construction of by-passes etc.
Year-wise details of State roads notified as New NHs since 2014-15 are as follows:
|
|
Year
|
|
2014-15
|
|
2015-16
|
|
2016-17
|
|
2017-18
|
|
2018-19
|
|
Total
|
|
Length 
|
|
5,662
|
|
3,180
|
|
13,148
|
|
12,399
|
|
4,651
|
|
39,040
Further, the Ministry has approved In-Principle declaration of about 53,031 km length of State roads as new NHs subject to outcome of their Detailed Project Reports ; initiatives have also been taken up for preparation of the DPRs.
The Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Shri Mansukh L Mandaviya gave this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India Celebrates Raksha Bandhan with Nursing Professionals
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, celebrated Raskha Bandhan with members of the nursing community at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today . Those who met and conveyed Rakhi greetings to the President included representatives of the Trained Nurses’ Association of India, the Military Nursing Service and the President’s Estate Clinic.
During a brief interactive session, the nurses offered rakhis to the President and also narrated their experience in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The President felicitated them and described them as saviours who are not only saving lives but also risking their own lives in the line of duty. Such commitment to duty earns respect for nurses who have been performing the role of front-line Covid warriors, he said.
Traditionally, on the day of the festival of Raksha Bandhan, sisters seek their brothers’ protection to keep them from harm’s way, the President said, adding that in case of nurses, it is they who through their dedication and commitment extend a helping hand to their brothers and ensure protection for all people.
Referring to the two members of the Military Nursing Service  who had tested COVID-19 positive while dealing with patients but recovered soon and resumed their duty with renewed vigour, the President thanked the entire nursing fraternity for their sincere dedication and services to fellow citizens during the pandemic. He also conveyed his best wishes to the entire nursing community on the occasion of Rakhsha Bandhan.
Earlier, as they shared their experiences of helping the COVID-19 patients, each nurse offered her own narrative, but they all seemed unanimous in their opinion that COVID-19 patients suffer severe mental stress due to wrong impressions about the disease and the problem needs to be addressed medically and through counselling. The President gave a patient hearing to the nurses’ opinion and complimented them for the exemplary services to the nation.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India on a steady trajectory of dipping %Active Cases
Active caseload only 13.75% of Total Positive Cases
74% of the New Recovered Cases concentrated in 10 States/UTs
New Recoveries exceed the new Confirmed Cases in 25 States/UTs
India continues to report a trend of steadily declining active cases as a percentage of the total positive cases.
Presently the active cases comprise merely 13.75% of the total positive cases of the country standing at 9,19,023.
The declining trend of the percentage active cases is commensurately supported by rising percentage of recovered cases.
The total recovered cases stand at 56,62,490. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases has crossed 47 lakh .
With increasing number of recoveries, this gap is continuously widening.
Higher number of recoveries has aided the national Recovery Rate to further improve to 84.70%. 75,787 have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 61,267.
The new recoveries have exceeded the new confirmed cases in 25 States/UTs.
74% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs viz. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
Maharashtra alone has contributed the maximum with nearly 13,000 single day recovery.
61,267 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours.
75% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. Maharashtra continues to be the State reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 10,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 7,000 cases.
884 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours.
Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten State/UTs of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
More than 29% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra .
Ministry of Home Affairs
19th Home Secretary Level Talks between India and Bangladesh
The 19th Home Secretary Level Talks  between India and Bangladesh were held virtually today in the backdrop of ‘MujibBarsho’and 50 years of Bangladesh Liberation War and establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Home Secretary.Sh. Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Senior Secretary, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs of Bangladesh led the Bangladesh delegation.
India and Bangladesh attach highest importance to their bilateral relations. Both Secretaries reiterated their commitment to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation in the security and border related issues. Both sides reaffirmed not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other’s interests.
Both sides discussed early completion of pending fencing along the Indo Bangladesh Border  as agreed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
Both sides appreciated the cooperation between the two countries and the action taken to address the menace of terrorism and extremism in an effective manner.The effective functioning of the Coordinated Border Management Plan to control the illegal cross border activities was appreciated by both sides.
The holding of the inaugural Police Chiefs’ Dialogue in January, 2021 implementing the decision taken at the Home Minister Level Talks  held in August, 2019, was noted with appreciation by both sides.
Both sides agreed to further enhance the level of cooperation to prevent the smuggling of Fake Indian Currency Notes  and contraband.
Bangladesh appreciated assistance provided by India in the field of training and capacity building for various security agencies.
Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of security and border related cooperation and agreed to work closely to fulfill the shared vision of the leadership of the two countries.
NW/RK/PK/AY/DDD
(Visitor Counter : 652
Ministry of Defence
NCC Units in Schools and Colleges
List of all Schools and Colleges having NCC Unit is as follows:-
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
State/UT
|
|
Schools covered
|
|
College covered
|
|
1.
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
619
|
|
269
|
|
2.
|
|
Telengana
|
|
401
|
|
140
|
|
3.
|
|
Bihar
|
|
363
|
|
178
|
|
4.
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
241
|
|
70
|
|
5.
|
|
Delhi
|
|
382
|
|
77
|
|
6.
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
522
|
|
296
|
|
7.
|
|
Diu Daman
|
|
5
|
|
1
|
|
8.
|
|
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
|
|
5
|
|
0
|
|
9.
|
|
Jammu Kashmir & Laddakh
|
|
324
|
|
74
|
|
10.
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
618
|
|
387
|
|
11.
|
|
Goa
|
|
39
|
|
27
|
|
12.
|
|
Kerala
|
|
646
|
|
234
|
|
13.
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
|
7
|
|
1
|
|
14.
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
628
|
|
304
|
|
15.
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
169
|
|
75
|
|
16.
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
878
|
|
503
|
|
17.
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
83
|
|
15
|
|
18.
|
|
Assam
|
|
371
|
|
194
|
|
19.
|
|
Manipur
|
|
84
|
|
19
|
|
20.
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
74
|
|
33
|
|
21.
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
46
|
|
14
|
|
22.
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
119
|
|
37
|
|
23.
|
|
Tripura
|
|
62
|
|
24
|
|
24.
|
|
Odisha
|
|
722
|
|
220
|
|
25.
|
|
Punjab
|
|
617
|
|
253
|
|
26.
|
|
Haryana
|
|
371
|
|
229
|
|
27.
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
314
|
|
64
|
|
28.
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
30
|
|
18
|
|
29.
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
519
|
|
209
|
|
30.
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
829
|
|
470
|
|
31.
|
|
Pondicherry
|
|
49
|
|
24
|
|
32.
|
|
Andaman Nicobar
|
|
24
|
|
4
|
|
33.
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
1077
|
|
405
|
|
34.
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
354
|
|
54
|
|
35.
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
699
|
|
256
|
|
36.
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
110
|
|
65
|
|
Total
|
|
12401
|
|
5243
In addition to girl units, there is mixed Battalion concept where around 33 per cent seats are utilized for enrolling girls. Details are as follows:-
 Total enrolled cadets - 1347436
 Boys cadets - 893074
 Girls cadets - 454362
 Girls’ percentage - 33.72%
In July, 2020, the Government has sanctioned the scheme of expansion of NCC to Coastal/Border talukas with the strength of one lakh cadets. The scheme is to expand the NCC Cadet base in 172 border Taluks, 92 coastal taluks and 43 major Air Force Stations.
This information was tabled in a written reply by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik to a question asked by Shrimati Sunita Duggal in Lok Sabha today.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
(
Ministry of Civil Aviation
490 Lifeline Udan flights operated till date to ensure continuous supply of essential and medical supplies across the country
490 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. 289 of these flights have been operated by Air India and Alliance Air. Cargo transported on 8th May 2020 was 6.32 tons taking total amount of cargo transportedto around 848.42 tons. Alliance Air operated 2 fights on 8th May 2020 while 8 flights were operated by IAF.Aerial distance covered by Lifeline Udan flights till date is over 4,73,609 km.‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated by MoCA to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19.
Helicopter services including Pawan Hans Ltdhave been operating in J&K, Ladakh, Islands and North East region transporting critical medical cargo and patients. Pawan Hans till 8th May2020 have carried 2.32 tons of cargo covering a distance of 8,001kms.
Domestic Cargo Operators SpiceJet, Blue Dart, Indigo and Vistara are operating cargo flights on a commercial basis.Spicejet operated 916 cargo flights during 24 March to 8th May2020 covering a distance of 15,46,809 km and carrying 6,587tons of cargo. Out of these,337 were international cargo flights.Blue Dart operated 311 cargo flights covering a distance of 3,55,515 km and carrying 5,231tons of cargo during 25 March to 8th May 2020. Out of these, 16 were international cargo flights. Indigo has operated 121 cargo flights during 3 April to 8th May2020 covering a distance of 1,96,263 km and carrying around 585tons of cargo and including 46 international flights. This also includes medical supplies carried free of cost for the government.Vistara has operated 23 cargo flights during 19 April to 8th May2020 covering a distance of 32,321 km and carrying around 150 tons of cargo.
A cargo air-bridge was established with East Asia for transportation of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and Covid-19 relief material. The total quantity of medical cargo brought in by Air India is 1075 tons. Blue Dart has uplifted medical supplies of around 131 tons from Guangzhou and Shanghai and 24 tons from Hong Kong, starting 14 April upto8th May 2020.Spicejet has also uplifted205 tons of medical supplies from Shanghai and Guangzhou upto8th May2020 and 21tons medical supplies from Hong Kong and Singapore upto8th May 2020.
Ministry of Power
NHPC carries out large scale covid vaccination drive
Covid 19 vaccination being carried at IREDA, New Delhi for employees of MOP, MNRE and PSUs/ organizations under MOP and MNRE
As per direction of Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State   & Minister of State , Government of India, NHPC Limited is undertaking large scale covid vaccination drives for employees of Ministry of Power and various CPSUs/ organizations under Ministry of Power in Delhi / NCR region. The vaccination drive is being carried out for the safety of power sector personnel so that uninterrupted power supply on a 24x7 basis is ensured.
NHPC organized a vaccination drive at IREDA, New Delhi yesterday on 7th May, 2021 in association with Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi. A total of 117 employees  from MOP, NHPC, IREDA, PFC, NSPCL, NTPC, MNRE, NEEPCO and CEA received their first dosage of Covishield vaccine during the drive. The vaccination drive has been further extended till today ie. 8th May 2021 to enable vaccinations of more employees.
SS/IG
(Visitor Counter : 293
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Single Use Plastic Packaging
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the Guidelines on the Extended Producer Responsibility  for Plastic Packaging vide Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2022, on 16th February, 2022. The enforceable prescription of targets for reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content in plastic packaging will reduce the use of fresh plastic material for the manufacture of plastic packaging. The use recycled plastic in packaging for processed food and reuse of rigid plastic packaging food contact applications is subject to the standards and regulations issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006  by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM dedicates 5 DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories to the Nation
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation , in Bengaluru today.
DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories  are located in five cities viz, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Each lab will work on a key advanced technology of importance to the development of futuristic defence systems viz, Artificial intelligence, Quantum technologies, Cognitive technologies, Asymmetric technologies and Smart materials.
The inspiration to start such laboratories came from the Prime Minister on the occasion of DRDO award function held on August 24, 2014. Shri Narendra Modi had then asked DRDO to empower the youth, by giving them decision making powers and challenging research opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said these labs would help in
shaping the pattern of research and development in the field of emerging technologies in the country.
Prime Minister asked the scientists to prepare a definite roadmap for the new decade where DRDO should be able to set the direction and pace of scientific research in various fields in India.
Addressing the scientists, Prime Minister said India’s Missile programme is one of the outstanding programmes in the world. He also appreciated the Indian Space Programme and air defence systems.
Prime Minister said India cannot be left behind in the field of scientific research. He said the Government is willing to walk the extra mile with the scientific community so that it can invest time in emerging technologies and innovations for national security.
He said DRDO's innovations would play a huge role in strengthening programmes like Make in India and in promoting a vibrant defence sector in the country.
The establishment of the five DRDO Young Scientist Labs lays down the foundation for research and development of futuristic technologies. It will be a big leap forward for DRDO from the goal of making India self reliant to future ready in defence technologies.
Research in the area of rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence will be carried out at Bengaluru. The all-important area of Quantum Technology will be based out of IIT Mumbai. The future is dependent on Cognitive Technologies and IIT Chennai will house the lab embarking in this area of research. New and futuristic area of Asymmetric Technologies, which will change the way wars are fought, will be based out of the campus of Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The research in the hot and critical area of Smart Materials and their applications will be based out of Hyderabad.
Ministry of Finance
key initiatives in Petroleum & Natural Gas sector
Ujjwala scheme extended to cover 1 Crore more beneficiaries
Gas pipeline project to be taken up in J&K
Independent gas transport system operator to be set up
The Government had kept fuel supplies running uninterrupted across the country during the COVID19 lockdown period. Taking note of the crucial nature of fuel requirement in the lives of people, the Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget 2020-21, in the Parliament today, announced key initiatives in the Petroleum & Natural Gas Sector:
- Ujjwala Scheme, which has already benefitted 8 crore households, will be extended to cover 1 crore more beneficiaries.
- 100 more districts will be being added to the City Gas Distribution Network in the next three years.
- A Gas pipeline project will be taken up in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
- An Independent Gas Transport System Operator will be set up for facilitation and coordination of booking of common carrier capacity in all-natural gas pipelines on a non-discriminatory open access basis.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
On World Wetlands Day India gets its first Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management.
The Centre would give a fillip to capacity development and cutting-edge research on wetlands of India: Shri Babul Supriyo
On the occasion of the World Wetland Day and as a part of its commitment towards conservation, restoration and management of India’s wetlands, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sh. Babul Supriyo today announced the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management , as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Chennai, an institution under the Ministry. The event was attended virtually by NCSCM, State Wetland Authorities and the knowledge partners of the Wetland Division.
Speaking at the launch the Minister of State for Environment highlighted the importance of wetlands in providing various ecosystem services. “The dedicated Centre which is launched today would address specific research needs and knowledge gaps and will aid in the application of integrated approaches for conservation, management and wise use of the wetlands.” said Shri Supriyo.
India has nearly 4.6% of its land as wetlands, covering an area of 15.26 million hectares and has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance , with a surface area of 1.08 million hectares. The year 2021 also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, celebrated annually as World Wetlands Day.
The Centre will help in building partnership and networks with relevant national and international agencies.WCM would serve as a knowledge hub and enable exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, managers, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. The Centre would also assist the national and State/ UT Governments in the design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks, management planning, monitoring and targeted research for its conservation.
The Minister also released publications relating to Faunal Diversity of all the Ramsar sites in the country and a brochure on Designation of Ramsar sites.
Faunal Diversity in Ramsar Wetlands of India
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone conversation between PM and Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister spoke on phone today with H.E. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
The two leaders discussed the prevailing global situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. They agreed on the importance of global solidarity and coordination, the maintenance of supply chains, and collaborative research activities.
Prime Minister thanked the Canadian Prime Minister for the assistance and support extended to the Indian citizens present in Canada, especially Indian students. Prime Minister Trudeau appreciated the support provided by Government of India for Canadian citizens in India.
Prime Minister conveyed the assurance that India’s productive capabilities in the pharmaceutical sector would remain available for assisting the citizens of the world, including those of Canada, to the best of India’s abilities.
The two leaders agreed that the partnership between India and Canada could contribute meaningfully to the global effort to fight the pandemic, especially through collaboration in research and technology aimed at finding a vaccine or therapeutic solutions to COVID-19.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Kolhapur Airport to get new terminal building with enhanced capacity and world-class facilities
The terminal building will be ready by 31stMarch 2023
World-class terminal will enhance the connectivity to this industrial city, boosting tourism industry of the region
Considering the tremendous passenger traffic growth at the Kolhapur airport, Airports Authority of India has undertaken the work for developing the airport for enhanced capacity. The development project includes construction of a new terminal building, strengthening of existing runway, extension of runway, construction of new apron and isolation bay.
Kolhapur Airport has been identified for RCS operations under UDAN scheme and is presently connected to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Tirupati. Recently Airport Aerodrome license has been upgraded to 247 flight operations.
The new terminal building is being constructed in an area of 4000 sqm and will be able to process 300 passengers during peak hours. With 10 check-in counters, the Terminal will be equipped with all modern passenger amenities. The building will be a Four-Star GRIHA rated energy efficient building with sustainability features.The interiors of the terminal building will reflect the art and culture of local culture & heritage. The big archways at the front façade of the new terminal building is influenced and derived from the commonly used arches in the heritage structures like Maharaja Palace, Bhavani Mandap, Panhala Fort of Kolhapur city.
More than 60% of the work for extension of terminal building is complete and the building will be ready by 31stMarch 2023. Work of upgrading of the airside facilities is completed. Apart from this, a new Air Traffic Control Tower is also being constructed to cater for future traffic growth. Parking area with capacity for 110 car, 10 buses are also part of the development activities.
Kolhapur city is situated on the banks of Panchganga river and is surrounded by Sahyadri mountain ranges. It is a city known for its historical forts, temples and royal places of erstwhile royals. Kolhapur is one of the most agriculturally advanced districts in Maharashtra and is known for being a leading district in agro based industry. It is also a front runner for manufacturing engineering products, refined sugar and textiles.
The new world-class terminal building of the airport will enhance the connectivity to this industrial city, boosting tourism industry of the region. The increased connectivity will not only create new employment opportunities for the local community provide access to better educational and medical facilities.
Perspective Image -Kolhapur Airport New Terminal Building
Terminal Building Work in Progress
Work in Progress- ATC
RUNWAY RECARPETING
Work in Progress- Runway Extension
Apron